Blog Layout

The debt lifestyle: conquering the crabs for financial freedom

Julie Murphy • Aug 24, 2011

How many of us were trained to think that debt was a part of our modern-day lifestyle? When everyone around us has jumped in the pool of easy credit and quick financial “fixes”, it’s hard for anyone to immediately see the actual downside of this lifestyle choice.

We have such a casual attitude about debt in our society. Our student loans were for higher education, which is an investment into our future. Car loans are necessary because we all need transportation, right? And weren’t these the things that were supposed to help us achieve financial freedom?

Yet with all those justifications floating around, our debt still gives us a very constant feeling of guilt that we just can’t shake. We don’t have true financial freedom when we’re hampered down with unnecessary bills. The culture of debt resignation (we need debt just to maintain so we have to just accept it in our lives) is set. But where does this stem? Most likely, it’s coming from the people closest to you.

Family, friends, co-workers, bosses: who’s to blame?

Admit it: no matter what place in life you’re in, a part of you needs some sort of acceptance from those closest to you. You want your parents to be proud so you go to the best college you can. Your spouse absolutely loved that house that was over your price-point, but you sign the mortgage anyway for the sake of their happiness. And what’s a night out with your friends without drinks and dinner, even if you have to charge it in order to go.

In an effort to make the people closest to us happy – and to feel accepted as a part of something – we bend our financials until they break. And then we’re left wondering how it got so bad? You are partly to blame for making those decisions in the first place, but it’s fair to say that other’s “encouraged” your choices along the way.

The crabs in your bucket

Have you ever felt pressured by your boss to attend a conference that you’ll get reimbursed for weeks or months after it’s over? Or do you feel obligated to follow the financial advice of your parents give even though you know it’s probably not right for you? How about letting your friends pressure you into buying something as a treat that you can’t exactly afford?

We all have crabs in our bucket, and sometimes they can be the people who really do mean well. We all need debt to make it, and they surely feel that way. So, of course, you need to pick up a few credit cards along the way for survival as well. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of continuing to pile on the debt on the advice of your family and friends, make it a point to change your habits.
What will you do today that will rewire your resignation to debt?

Sign up for my weekly words of wisdom (in the top right-hand corner of your screen) for encouraging thoughts each Tuesday. And be sure to check out my book, The Emotion Behind Money, for guidance and healing. You can take control of your finances, and I can help you.

Tags: financial freedom, crabs in your bucket, the debt lifestyle, living in debt, debt consolidation, student loan debt, credit card debt, debt relief, Julie Murphy, emotion behind money

Share Blog On Social

Free IMPACT money & life coaching and training with Julie Murphy. The IMPACT workshop show you how to create real wealth in every area of your life.
Get it NOW!

Recent Blogs


So, invest in yourself, claim your unique power, and watch your life transform.
By Julie Murphy 02 Apr, 2024
True wealth goes beyond numbers. It's about inner peace, joy, and living a life aligned with your authentic self.
By Julie Murphy 05 Mar, 2024
In today's fast-paced and money-driven world, many individuals find themselves successful in their careers but can feel like they are missing out on their personal lives. We put aside our dreams of having a family, a relationship, or our hobbies for our career. Unfortunately, this happens to many people, and before we know it, the only friends we have are the people we work with. But what if we could have it all? What if we could have a thriving career and a fulfilling personal life? It may seem impossible, but with the right mindset and approach, it is achievable. Today I wanted to share with you 9 ways that you can bring personal fulfillment and happiness into your life along with loving relationships, the things we crave beyond money. When money isn’t an issue and our career is established, or perhaps we receive an inheritance or a big pay-out, we start seeking something more. We start looking for experiences that money can't buy, experiences that bring true happiness and fulfillment. This is where the concept of real wealth and impact comes into play. It's about knowing who we are and what truly matters in life. If you are searching for satisfaction beyond monetary wealth or seeking a greater sense of purpose in life, I invite you to read this article and join my free IMPACT workshops . These workshops, held every couple of months, are designed to provide you with insights and tools to help you heal the impact money, career, and relationships have on your happiness and success. Mark your calendars the next workshop will be held on Thursday, March 21st at 12 pm CST. 9 Ways That You Can Bring Personal Fulfillment And Happiness Into Your Life 1. Creating a Vision for an Ideal Life: Envisioning our ideal life involves more than just financial success. It's about considering our relationships, hobbies, health, travel, and contribution to society. By understanding what is truly important to us, we can re-direct our life journey toward what is most meaningful and fulfilling. 2. Finding Balance in Life: Balancing career success, personal relationships, and overall well-being can be challenging. It requires setting boundaries and priorities to invest time and energy into personal growth, self-care, and meaningful connections. Real wealth is about finding balance and having it all rather than sacrificing one aspect for another. 3. Defining True Success: Success is often equated with financial wealth, but there is more to life than money. Redefining success means exploring what brings true joy, purpose, and fulfillment. By aligning our goals with our authentic desires, we can experience a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that goes beyond material measures. 4. Cultivating Healthy Relationships: Building and maintaining healthy relationships is crucial for personal and professional fulfillment. Sometimes, we may feel awkward or uncertain about developing meaningful connections. However, by learning the tools and techniques to establish and nurture strong relationships, we can enhance our overall satisfaction and emotional well-being. 5. Self-reflection and Self-awareness: Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth and fulfillment. Through self-reflection exercises, we can uncover what is truly holding us back. It is only by gaining self-awareness of our beliefs, desires, patterns, coping mechanisms, and approaches to relationships that we can discover our true selves and what we genuinely want in life. 6. Discovering Passions and Purpose: Immersing ourselves solely in our careers and financial pursuits may leave little room for our passions and life purpose. To discover our passions and purpose, we must explore activities that ignite our creativity, joy, and sense of fulfillment outside of work. By aligning with our passions, we can uncover our purpose and bring greater meaning to our lives. 7. Building Meaningful Connections: Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals and fostering meaningful connections is crucial for personal fulfillment. When we connect with peers who share similar interests and aspirations, we experience quantum leaps in personal growth. Building a supportive network of people who feel like family can provide a sense of belonging and create priceless moments that impact us for life. 8. Prioritizing Well-being: The pursuit of financial success often comes at the cost of our physical and mental well-being. Prioritizing well-being is the foundation for overall life satisfaction. By incorporating exercise, mindfulness, meditation, affirmations, and self-care routines into our lives, we can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling existence. 9. Mindful Wealth Creation & Management: Mindfulness can be applied not only to meditation but also to wealth creation. By aligning our financial goals with our values and principles, we can create a conscious and purposeful approach to wealth. This approach can have a positive impact on our lives and the world. Make Personal Fulfillment Fun & Easy: Discovering personal fulfillment beyond financial success is possible. It starts with investing our money and time into the things that bring us closer to who we are, help us discover what truly matters, and pave the way for lasting happiness. If our relationship with money is healthy, and we know the right things to do with our money, it can help us feel fulfilled. By creating real wealth in every area of our lives, we can live a life we love. If you are searching for satisfaction beyond money, a greater sense of purpose in life, and deeper and more meaningful relationships, I invite you to register and join my free IMPACT workshop . In addition, if you want direct support and immediate impact in your life, consider joining my IMPACT online journey. This journey covers these topics with exercises, worksheets, and short videos to help you create real wealth in every area of your life. With the guidance of a certified financial planner and life coach, you can gain new insights and practical strategies that can help change everything.
Quantum Leaps: Surrender to the Flow: Trusting the Journey
By Julie Murphy 06 Feb, 2024
Control is an illusion. We can plan and strategize, but ultimately, life has its own agenda. Clinging too tightly to control only creates resistance and blocks the flow of abundance.
Show More

Similar Blogs

So, invest in yourself, claim your unique power, and watch your life transform.
By Julie Murphy 02 Apr, 2024
True wealth goes beyond numbers. It's about inner peace, joy, and living a life aligned with your authentic self.
By Julie Murphy 05 Mar, 2024
In today's fast-paced and money-driven world, many individuals find themselves successful in their careers but can feel like they are missing out on their personal lives. We put aside our dreams of having a family, a relationship, or our hobbies for our career. Unfortunately, this happens to many people, and before we know it, the only friends we have are the people we work with. But what if we could have it all? What if we could have a thriving career and a fulfilling personal life? It may seem impossible, but with the right mindset and approach, it is achievable. Today I wanted to share with you 9 ways that you can bring personal fulfillment and happiness into your life along with loving relationships, the things we crave beyond money. When money isn’t an issue and our career is established, or perhaps we receive an inheritance or a big pay-out, we start seeking something more. We start looking for experiences that money can't buy, experiences that bring true happiness and fulfillment. This is where the concept of real wealth and impact comes into play. It's about knowing who we are and what truly matters in life. If you are searching for satisfaction beyond monetary wealth or seeking a greater sense of purpose in life, I invite you to read this article and join my free IMPACT workshops . These workshops, held every couple of months, are designed to provide you with insights and tools to help you heal the impact money, career, and relationships have on your happiness and success. Mark your calendars the next workshop will be held on Thursday, March 21st at 12 pm CST. 9 Ways That You Can Bring Personal Fulfillment And Happiness Into Your Life 1. Creating a Vision for an Ideal Life: Envisioning our ideal life involves more than just financial success. It's about considering our relationships, hobbies, health, travel, and contribution to society. By understanding what is truly important to us, we can re-direct our life journey toward what is most meaningful and fulfilling. 2. Finding Balance in Life: Balancing career success, personal relationships, and overall well-being can be challenging. It requires setting boundaries and priorities to invest time and energy into personal growth, self-care, and meaningful connections. Real wealth is about finding balance and having it all rather than sacrificing one aspect for another. 3. Defining True Success: Success is often equated with financial wealth, but there is more to life than money. Redefining success means exploring what brings true joy, purpose, and fulfillment. By aligning our goals with our authentic desires, we can experience a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that goes beyond material measures. 4. Cultivating Healthy Relationships: Building and maintaining healthy relationships is crucial for personal and professional fulfillment. Sometimes, we may feel awkward or uncertain about developing meaningful connections. However, by learning the tools and techniques to establish and nurture strong relationships, we can enhance our overall satisfaction and emotional well-being. 5. Self-reflection and Self-awareness: Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth and fulfillment. Through self-reflection exercises, we can uncover what is truly holding us back. It is only by gaining self-awareness of our beliefs, desires, patterns, coping mechanisms, and approaches to relationships that we can discover our true selves and what we genuinely want in life. 6. Discovering Passions and Purpose: Immersing ourselves solely in our careers and financial pursuits may leave little room for our passions and life purpose. To discover our passions and purpose, we must explore activities that ignite our creativity, joy, and sense of fulfillment outside of work. By aligning with our passions, we can uncover our purpose and bring greater meaning to our lives. 7. Building Meaningful Connections: Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals and fostering meaningful connections is crucial for personal fulfillment. When we connect with peers who share similar interests and aspirations, we experience quantum leaps in personal growth. Building a supportive network of people who feel like family can provide a sense of belonging and create priceless moments that impact us for life. 8. Prioritizing Well-being: The pursuit of financial success often comes at the cost of our physical and mental well-being. Prioritizing well-being is the foundation for overall life satisfaction. By incorporating exercise, mindfulness, meditation, affirmations, and self-care routines into our lives, we can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling existence. 9. Mindful Wealth Creation & Management: Mindfulness can be applied not only to meditation but also to wealth creation. By aligning our financial goals with our values and principles, we can create a conscious and purposeful approach to wealth. This approach can have a positive impact on our lives and the world. Make Personal Fulfillment Fun & Easy: Discovering personal fulfillment beyond financial success is possible. It starts with investing our money and time into the things that bring us closer to who we are, help us discover what truly matters, and pave the way for lasting happiness. If our relationship with money is healthy, and we know the right things to do with our money, it can help us feel fulfilled. By creating real wealth in every area of our lives, we can live a life we love. If you are searching for satisfaction beyond money, a greater sense of purpose in life, and deeper and more meaningful relationships, I invite you to register and join my free IMPACT workshop . In addition, if you want direct support and immediate impact in your life, consider joining my IMPACT online journey. This journey covers these topics with exercises, worksheets, and short videos to help you create real wealth in every area of your life. With the guidance of a certified financial planner and life coach, you can gain new insights and practical strategies that can help change everything.
Quantum Leaps: Surrender to the Flow: Trusting the Journey
By Julie Murphy 06 Feb, 2024
Control is an illusion. We can plan and strategize, but ultimately, life has its own agenda. Clinging too tightly to control only creates resistance and blocks the flow of abundance.
Manifesting can be a challenge, but it is possible if you are willing to put in the work.
By Julie Murphy 02 Jan, 2024
Manifesting can be a challenge, but it is possible if you are willing to put in the work. When we take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually, we create the space for the downloads to flow through us.
Show More
Share by: